Actor Vivan Bhathena is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film ‘120 Bahadur’, and he shared he was previously unaware of the Battle of Rezang La before embarking on this project.
A Life-Changing Experience
The film pays tribute to the valiant Ahir soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Rezang La. For Vivan, this journey turned into a transformative experience.
As the release of 120 Bahadur approaches, he reflected on how he became involved with the film. “When I was called in for the audition, I didn’t know much about the story at all. It was during that meeting that I first heard about the Battle of Rezang La, and honestly, I was taken aback. I had no idea that such an incredible chapter even existed in our history,” he remarked.
Honoring the Brave Soldiers
The film pays homage to the brave soldiers who displayed unmatched courage during the battle. Vivan further emphasized, “The more I listened, the more I realized how important it was for this story to reach audiences. That’s when I decided to dig deeper and start researching the battle to understand what really happened, who these soldiers were, and what they stood for. From what I gathered, many of these Ahir boys came straight from farms. They were used to warm climates and had never experienced such extreme cold. Being stationed in those brutal mountain terrains for the first time was a shock to their bodies, yet they fought with unimaginable mental and physical strength. They adapted, endured, and stood their ground without hesitation.”
For Vivan, preparing for this role became a mission to embody the spirit of real-life heroes. “Later, when I met Razy, our director, he told me I was a perfect fit for the character he had envisioned. That’s how I became Surja Ram, one of the brave soldiers of 120 Bahadur,” he added.